2017 International Island Classic full review

The 2017 International Island Classic is run and done, with Australia missing out on the International Challenge trophy by a mere 11-points, with it coming down to the final race of the weekend as mechanical problems effected the field throughout the weekend.

2017 Island Classic – International Challenge

Not unexpected perhaps for a Classic racing meet – even one of the calibre of the Island Classic, but still disappointing to the riders, teams and of course the spectators nonetheless.

2017 International Island Classic – Alex Phillis

It would have been great to send the Poms back with their tail between their legs, but with the amazing racing on offer and Alex Phillis taking the win in the final race of the weekend it’s hard to complain, especially after the Australian team closed the points difference in the final race.

2017 International Island Classic – Jeremy McWilliams pulls an enormous early lead

The Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit came alive in the fourth and final race in the multi-national event after Aussie rookie Alex Phillis (Suzuki XR69) won a thriller ahead of Jeremy McWilliams (Harris Yamaha) and Steve Martin (Suzuki Katana), taking an early lead that he maintained through to the finish line in front of a cheering local crowd.

2017 International Island Classic – Jed Metcher, Chas Hern

With Jed Metcher (Harris Honda) and Shawn Giles (Katana) also performing strongly, Australia managed to claw back some points on the UK, with Payl Bryne representing Ireland in the top five, but it wasn’t enough to deny victory to the visitor for the third successive year – with the tireless veteran McWilliams also taking home the individual standings for the fourth time.

2017 International Island Classic – Chas Hern

Aussie hard-charger Chad Hern (Harris Honda) was forced out of the final race with a broken cam chain, with Hickman also out.

2017 International Island Classic – Shawn Giles

It was a welcome result after the initial three races, where McWilliams took three from three, with teammate Peter Hickman claiming second spot in Race 3, with Aussies Shawn Giles, Alex Phillis and Jed Metcher completing the top five.

In Race 2 it was a similar result with the UK taking the top two spots with McWilliams and Hickman, while Metcher, Phillis and Giles took third, fourth and fifth respectively.

Race 1 on Saturday saw McWilliams in the top spot, with Giles slotting into second, with Hickman third, while Phillis and Metcher completed the top five. Australia’s hopes took a blow early on with Cam Donald unable to compete due to a mechanical problem, while fellow Irving Vincent rider Beau Beaton started Race 1 but was forced to retire. Phillis also experienced poor luck in Race 1 when a flat tyre ended his race early.

2017 International Island Classic – Shawn Giles

The final score saw the United Kingdom complete the event on 651pts ahead of Australia (640), Ireland (539), America (357) and New Zealand (323).

2017 International Island Classic – Jeremy McWilliams

McWilliams said of the event and result, “Riders leave absolutely nothing in the tank at the International Challenge, and that’s what makes it so special to compete in and win. We are allowed to ride bikes on the limit by the owners, and it’s been an honour to represent the UK and get the job done again in 2017. My teammate Peter Hickman is right when he says this is some of the hardest and toughest racing you’ll find anywhere, so that always makes winning extra special.”

On the last race McWilliams also said, “I just went in too hot and the bike stepped out, Alex is exceptionally fast at turn 11 – and also at turns two and six for that matter! So I knew that was it for me as far as pushing for the win.”

2017 International Island Classic – Alex Phillis

Phillis elated, as he completed his rookie International Challenge campaign in the best possible way said, “I knew Jeremy was close behind so I just had to stay focussed and get on the gas as hard as I could coming out of turn 10 on that last lap. I have really enjoyed riding the XR69, and I knew that once we had ironed out a few fueling niggles I would give myself a great chance of pushing for a win. I also got a great start in the last race, so that always helps.”

The highest point-scorer for America was Pat Mooney (XR69), and for New Zealand it was Glenn Hindle (XR69).

2017 Island Classic Award Ceremony – Team Ireland

Irish non-riding captain Mike Meskell was delighted with how his team performed, “We had some good bikes and some not so good this weekend, but they held together and we have achieved our goal of getting closer to the top two teams. We want to be regarded as a serious competitor to Australia and the UK, and we will come back bigger and stronger in 2018 with better bikes, including two XR69s.”

2017 Island Classic Award Ceremony – Team USA

American head honcho Dave Crussell said, “Our bikes and riders finished every single race in 2017, which is a fantastic achievement. Our bike development has paid off, and I was particularly delighted with the form of Pat Mooney and Barrett Long.”

Despite not being able to beat the American Team on the International Challenge ladder, New Zealand captain Duncan Coutts was far from despondent, “We were a bit unlucky in that last race with Damien (Kavney) a DNF, but a couple of our bikes were really strong and we’ll be back to fight on again in 2017.”

2017 Island Classic Award Ceremony – Team Australia

In the massive weekend of historic competition, Murray Seabrook collected the Phil Irving Memorial Trophy for the most points collected by a competitor outside the International Challenge races. Seabrook defeated closest competitors Dean Oughtred and Lachlan Hill.